Arrowhead Pool-Spa Handrail

Abstract

An improved pool and/or spa handrail comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy provided with a powder-coating surface treatment to maximize the life of the invention and provide opportunities to increase the aesthetic appearance of the invention.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This application relates in general to an article of manufacture for proving an improved handrail for entering and exiting pools and spas.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, ladders and handrails for entering and exiting pools and spas have been constructed from Stainless Steel. Though Stainless Steel, and particularly Marine grade Stainless Steel, is more rust resistant than other metals, it does tend to rust over time due to normal use and weather conditions. Additionally, Stainless Steel must remain bare, unpainted metal to retain its rust resistance, which can be unattractive, particularly as any marring to the material, such as bending witness marks caused by die machines during manufacturing, will remain visible.

As traditional stainless steel construction cases the risk of rusting and the limited aesthetic opinion, there exists a need for an improvement on traditional pool and spa handrails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The present invention is defined by the claims.

The present invention is directed to an improved pool and/or spa handrail comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy. Embodiments of the present invention may be provided with a powder-coating surface treatment to maximize the life of the invention and may provide opportunities to increase the aesthetic appearance of the invention.

Functional handrails do not have to be boring, and powder coating is proof of that. By varying the pigment in the powder, an astounding array of colors may be produced. While the standard finish to handrails tends to be smooth, powder coating provides a wide range of textures. Powder coating can also be applied in multiple coats, which further expands the aesthetic possibilities. Ultimately, users may obtain a functional finish that suits virtually any style.

Powder coating is an exceptionally resilient and beautiful finishing product. Powder coated aluminum handrails excel at providing visual appeal, durability, and safety. With many combinations of styles, shapes, sizes, colors, and finishes available for use, a powder-coated aluminum handrail provide a large variety of aesthetic options. Powder-coated aluminum also does an exceptional job of withstanding the elements. With handrails made from other materials, users often need to worry that corrosion or rust may mar the handrail's appearance or undermine its stability. Powder-coated aluminum handrails deliver durability, minimizing required maintenance to keep them looking fantastic and functioning effectively.

There is much less waste with powder coating as compared with other painting techniques. The application method produces far less overspray than traditional painting techniques, and that overspray is not necessarily lost like it would be with conventional paints. Because the powder is dry, much of the overspray can be recovered. In addition, the powder used in powder coating does not contain many of the harsh chemicals used in traditional paints like solvents and volatile organic compounds. When there is waste to be disposed of, it may simply be sent to the landfill. There is no hazardous waste requiring special disposal.

Powder coating does an excellent job of standing up to whatever environment it encounters. The powder coating produces a finish that is both harder and more flexible than traditional paint. In addition, it results in a coating that is significantly thicker. Conventional painting techniques tend to produce a finish that is between 0.05 mils and 1 mil thick. When power coating is used for a decorative application, it produces a finish of 2 mils to 6 mils. When the need for functionality is the priority, a thickness of 6 mils to 12 mils is utilized. Although the differences in hardness, flexibility, and thickness may be invisible to the naked eye, the powder coatings generate extra protection for the core material by providing a finish that is better able to withstand the elements, resist rust, and repel nicks, dings, chips, and scratches. Ultimately, this means more durability and less maintenance, a combination that is understandably appealing to consumers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a 2-bend handrail configuration.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a 3-bend handrail configuration.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a further 3-bend handrail configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in an additional 3-bend handrail configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a 4-bend configuration.

FIG. 6a illustrates an exemplary embodiment in an arch top configuration.

FIG. 6b illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment in an arch top configuration and provides detail views of elements of an arch top configuration.

FIG. 6c illustrates a further exemplary embodiment in an arch top configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments of the present invention are described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the scope of the invention is not intended to be defined by the description itself. The claimed subject matter may be embodied as to include different features, elements, components, steps, or combinations of steps, similar to those described herein, and in combination with other existing or future technologies. Moreover, although the term “step” might be used to connote different elements of the methods employed, this term should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except the order of individual steps is explicitly described or required.

The present invention is directed to an improved pool and/or spa handrail comprising aluminum or aluminum alloy. Embodiments of the present invention may be powder-coated to maximize the life of the invention and may provide opportunities to increase the aesthetic appearance of the invention. Aluminum alloys may include but are not limited to 6063 aluminum. As used herein, the terms “aluminum”, “aluminum alloy”, and/or “aluminum-based material” shall be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a 2-bend handrail configuration. The handrail 100 consists of segments that are bent into shape depicted. The segments may comprise aluminum pipe and the segments may be joined together by the use of welds. In some embodiments, the aluminum pipe may comprise a SCH 40 6063 pipe having 1½″ size (1.90×1.610×0.145—OD×IN×Wall). In some embodiments, the handrail 100 may stand 36″ high from the poolside decking and may be 48″ long as it extends from the poolside decking over the side of the pool.

As depicted in FIG. 1, The handrail 100 is anchored into the concrete poolside decking 121 using a pair of 4″ anchors 102a-b that are couple to the end of a main vertical support member 111 and a second vertical support member 116. A pair of escutcheons 104a-b are located about the pair of support members 101a-b at the poolside decking 121.

The handrail 100 consists of the main vertical member 111 that is bent into a first bend 112 located at its highest point. The first bend 112 becomes a top handrail 113 as the handrail 100 extends over the edge of the poolside decking 121. The top handrail 113 bends into a second bend 114 before a lower handrail 115 returns to be welded to the main vertical support member 111 at a preferred height of 6″ above the poolside decking 121. A lower end of the main vertical support member 111 is coupled to a first of the two 4″ anchors 102a. The second vertical support member 116 is coupled to a second of the 4″ anchors and extends upward it joins the lower handrail 115. A pair of escutcheons 104a-b are located about the main vertical support member 111 and the second vertical support member 116.

In some embodiments, the main vertical support member 111 may extend 36″ above the poolside decking, the top handrail, second bend, and lower handrail 115 when considered as a complete entity may extend 48″ out over the end of the poolside decking 121. In some embodiments, the first bend 112 may have a bend of 12.04 inches, a radius of 6.5 inches and 109.144°, and the second bend 114 may have a bend of 18.54 inches and a radius of 6.5″ and 163.85°. In some embodiments, the exterior of the 1½″ aluminum pipe may be covered with a powder covering to extend the useful life of the handrail 100 as well as provide an attracting appearance. The main vertical member 111 is welded to the lower handrail 115 at a first weld point 131a and the second vertical support member 116 is welded to the lower handrail 115 at a second weld point 131b.

The aluminum pipes as disclosed herein may be bent into desired shapes using a pipe bender, such as a JD Squared Model 4 Tube Bender. A smooth nylon darn inserts may be used while bending aluminum to prevent scratching.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a 3-bend handrail configuration. The handrail 200 consists of aluminum pipe segments that are bent into shape and welded together as shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the aluminum pipe may comprise a SCH 40 6063 pipe having 1½″ size (1.90×1.610×0.145—OD×IN×Wall). In some embodiments, the handrail 200 may stand 29″ high from the poolside decking and may be 26″ long as it extends from the poolside decking over the side of the pool.

The handrail 200 is anchored into the concrete poolside decking 121 using a pair of 4″ anchors 202a-b that hold the handrail 200 in place. The handrail 200 consists of a main vertical member 211 that is bent into a first bend 212 located at its highest point. The first bend 212 becomes a top handrail 213 as the handrail 200 extends over the edge of the poolside decking 121. The top handrail 213 bends into a second bend 214 before a lower handrail 215 returns towards the main vertical support member 211 at a height above the poolside decking 121. In some embodiments, the main vertical support member 211 may be a height of 8″ above the poolside decking 121.

The lower handrail 215 bends into a third bend 216 that ends when the third bend 216 is coupled to a second of the two 4″ anchors 202b. A main vertical support member 211 is coupled to a first of the 4″ anchors 202a. The pair of anchors 202a-b may be located 8″ apart. A pair of escutcheons 204a-b may be located about the main vertical support member 211 and the third bend 216 at the point at which they meet the poolside decking 121.

In some embodiments, the main vertical support member 211 may extend 29″ above the poolside decking, the top handrail 213, second bend 214, and lower handrail 215 when considered as a complete entity may extend 26″ out over the end of the poolside decking 121. The first bend 212 may have a bend of 13.84″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 121.6°, the second bend 214 may have a bend of 16.053″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 148.4°, and the third bend 216 may have a bend of 10.21″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 90°. The exterior of the 1½″ aluminum pipe is covered with a powder covering to extend the useful life of the handrail 200 as well as provide an attracting appearance.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a further 3-bend handrail configuration. The handrail 300 consists of aluminum pipe segments that are bent into shape and welded together as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the aluminum pipe may comprise a SCH 40 6063 pipe having 1½″ size (1.90×1.610×0.145—OD×IN×Wall). The handrail 300 may stand 36″ high from the poolside decking and may be 48″ long as it extends from the poolside decking over the side of the pool.

The handrail 300 is anchored into the concrete poolside decking 121 using a pair of 4″ anchors 302a-b that that hold the handrail 300 in place. The handrail 300 consists of a main vertical member 311 that is bent into a first bend 312 located at its highest point. The first bend 312 becomes a top handrail 313 as the handrail 300 extends over the edge of the poolside decking 121. The top handrail 313 bends into a second bend 314 before a lower handrail 315 returns towards the main vertical support member 311 at a preferred height of 6″ above the poolside decking 121. The lower handrail 315 bends into a third bend 316 that ends when the third bend 316 is coupled to a second of the two 4″ anchors 302b. A main vertical support member 311 is coupled to a first of the 4″ anchors 302a. The pair of anchors 302a-b are located 4″ apart. A pair of escutcheons 304a-b are located about the main vertical support member 311 and the third bend 316 at the point at which they meet the poolside decking 121.

In some embodiments, the main vertical support member 311 may extend 36″ above the poolside decking, the top handrail 313, second bend 314, and lower handrail 315 when considered as a complete entity may extend 48″ out over the end of the poolside decking 121.

The first bend 312 may have a bend of 10.21″ and a radius of 6.6″ and 109.144°, the second bend 314 may have a bend of 18.54″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 163.85°, and the third bend 316 may have a bend of 10.21″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 90°. The exterior of the 1½″ aluminum pipe may be covered with a powder covering to extend the useful life of the handrail 300 as well as provide an attracting appearance.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in an additional 3-bend handrail configuration. The handrail 400 consists of aluminum pipe segments that are bent into shape and welded together as shown in FIG. 4. In some embodiments, the aluminum pipe may comprise a SCH 40 6063 pipe having 1½″ size (1.90×1.610×0.145—OD×IN×Wall). The handrail 400 may stand 32″ high from the poolside decking and may be 30″ long as it extends from the poolside decking over the side of the pool.

The handrail 400 may be anchored into the concrete poolside decking 121 using a pair of 4″ anchors 402a-b that that hold the handrail 400 in place. The handrail 400 consists of a main vertical member 411 that is bent into a first bend 412 located at its highest point. The first bend 412 becomes a top handrail 413 as the handrail 400 extends over the edge of the poolside decking 121. The top handrail 413 bends into a second bend 414 before a lower handrail 415 returns towards the main vertical support member 411 at a preferred height of 8″ above the poolside decking 121. The lower handrail 415 bends into a third bend 416 that ends when the third bend 416 is coupled to a second of the two 4″ anchors 402b. A main vertical support member 411 is coupled to a first of the 4″ anchors 402a. The pair of anchors 402a-b may be located 4″ apart. A pair of escutcheons 404a-b may be located about the main vertical support member 311 and the third bend 316 at the point at which they meet the poolside decking 121.

In some embodiments, the main vertical support member 411 may extend 32″ above the poolside decking, the top handrail 413, second bend 414, and lower handrail 415 when considered as a complete entity may extend 30″ out over the end of the poolside decking 121. The first bend 412 may have a bend of 13.95″ and a radius of 6.6″ and 122.91°, the second bend 414 may have a bend of 16.68″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 147°, and the third bend 416 may have a bend of 10.21″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 90°. The exterior of the 1½″ aluminum pipe may he covered with a powder covering to extend the useful life of the handrail 400 as well as provide an attracting appearance.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in a 4-bend configuration. The handrail 500 consists of aluminum pipe segments that are bent into shape and welded together as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, the aluminum pipe may comprise a SCH 40 6063 pipe having 1½″ size (1.90×1.610×0.145—OD×IN×Wall). The handrail 500 may stand 36″ high from the poolside decking and may be 38″ long as it extends from the poolside decking over the side of the pool.

As depicted in FIG. 5, the handrail 500 is anchored into the concrete poolside decking 121 using a pair of 4″ anchors 502a-b that that hold the handrail 500 in place. The handrail 500 consists of a main vertical member 511 that is bent into a first bend 512 located at its highest point. The first bend 512 becomes a top handrail 513 as the handrail 500 extends over the edge of the poolside decking 121. The top handrail 513 bends into a second bend 514 before an extended top handrail 415 drops downward towards a third bend 516 at a preferred height of 6″ above the poolside decking 121. The third bend becomes a lower handrail 516 as the lower handrail returns toward the main vertical support member 511. The lower handrail 516 bends into a fourth bend 517 that ends when the fourth bend 517 is coupled to a second of the two 4″ anchors 502b. A main vertical support member 111 is coupled to a first of the 4″ anchors 502a. The pair of anchors 502a-b are located 4″ apart. A pair of escutcheons 504a-b are located about the main vertical support member 511 and the fourth bend 517 at the point at which they meet the poolside decking 121.

In some embodiments, the main vertical support member 511 may extend 36″ above the poolside decking, the top handrail 513, second bend 514, and lower handrail 515 when considered as a complete entity may extend 48″ out over the end of the poolside decking 121. The first bend 512 may have a bend of 10.21″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 90°, the second bend 514 may have a radius of 2.97″ and 26.114°,″ the third bend 516 may have a bend of 17.45″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 153.886°, and the fourth bend 517 has a bend of 10.21″ and a radius of 6.5″ and 90°.″ The exterior of the 1½″ aluminum pipe may be covered with a powder covering to extend the useful life of the handrail 500 as well as provide an attracting appearance.

FIG. 6a illustrates an exemplary embodiment in an arch top configuration, FIG. 6a shows an arch-top handrail 600 comprises an arch-top handrail member 611, a first vertical support member 612 that is coupled to a first anchor 604a, a second vertical support member 613 that is coupled to a second anchor 602b, and a pair of escutcheons 604a-b are located about the first vertical support member 612 and the second vertical support member 613 at the point at which they meet the poolside decking 121.

As depicted in FIG. 6a, the second vertical support member 612 attaches to the arch-top handrail member 611 at an attachment point 87½″ from a lower end 615 when measured along its length. In some embodiments, the overall height of the arch-top handrail 600 may be 36″ as measure from the poolside decking.

FIG. 6b illustrates an additional exemplary embodiment in an arch top configuration. FIG. 6b shows an arch-top handrail 620 similar to that depicted in FIG. 6a. As depicted, the distance between the attachment point 624 and the lower end 628 is shorter than in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6a. In some embodiments, the overall height of the arch-top handrail 620 may be 29″ and the distance between the attachment point 624 and the lower end 628 may be 9½″.

FIG. 6c illustrates a further exemplary embodiment in an arch top configuration. FIG. 6c shows an arch-top handrail 640 similar to that depicted in FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b. As depicted, the arch-top handrail 640 incudes an decorative element 652. One having skill in the art will recognize that such a decorative element may be incorporated into other embodiments herein described and that various configuration of decorative elements could be implemented. In some embodiments, the overall height of the arch-top handrail 640 may be 36″ and the distance between the attachment point 644 and the lower end 648 may be 27½″.

Embodiments of the present invention have been described, as required by statute, to be illustrative, but should not be interpreted to be restrictive. One having skill in the art will recognize that many different arrangements of the various components depicted are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below, as well as arrangements including components not explicitly shown.

One having skill in the art will understand that certain combinations and/or sub-combinations of elements and features are of utility and may be employed without reference to other combinations and/or sub-combinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.

Claims

1. A handrail for a pool or spa comprising: a structure comprising at least one segment of an aluminum-based material tubing; anda powder-coating surface treatment for an exterior surface of the structure.

2. The handrail of independent claim 1, wherein: the aluminum-based is pure aluminum.

3. The handrail of independent claim 1, wherein: the aluminum-based is an aluminum alloy.

4. The handrail of claim 3, wherein: the aluminum alloy is 6063 aluminum.

5. The handrail of independent claim 1, wherein: the structure has a 2-bend configuration.

6. The handrail of independent claim 1, wherein: the structure has a 3-bend configuration.

7. The handrail of independent claim 1, wherein: the structure has a 4-bend configuration.

8. The handrail of independent claim 1, wherein: the structure has an arch-top configuration.

9. The handrail of claim 8, further comprising: a decorative element in its structure.